This series contains incoming and outgoing correspondence in English and Italian and spans much of Poletti's life. While some of the material relates to his work and discusses specific bills or laws, most of the material is more personal in nature, and consists of letters of congratulation, invitations, and short notes and letters from friends, family, and political figures. Some letters are accompanied by photographs of Poletti at public events. Correspondence is filed alphabetically by name of individual or institution. Documents filed under Poletti's name consist of correspondence with Who's Who and many articles that provide basic biographical information.

This extensive series holds information on a wide range of subjects relating to Poletti's military, political, and professional careers. Allied Military Government (AMG) files document his work as an allied military governor in Italy and include official orders, reports, correspondence, and descriptions of the state of the country. "Discrimination" Files contain a variety of material relating to Poletti's stance against discrimination, including press releases and campaign fliers focusing on his support of minority groups; discussions of the appointment of black employees to government positions; and correspondence and reports relating to the State War Council Committee on Discrimination in Employment, which investigated cases of discrimination in the workforce. They also contain a travel diary kept by philosopher Corliss Lamont, detailing his observations of racism on a 1926 trip through the South with Poletti, and his report based on the experience. Files on the New York World's Fair hold correspondence and reports outlining plans for the fair; photographs of Poletti and others at work on the project; and information on each of the country pavilions. They also hold public documents such as promotional fliers, postcards, maps, and articles. The series also contains material on Poletti's political campaigns and his work with the power authority, as well as notes and correspondence on a variety of issues such as low-cost housing and birth control. Files are arranged alphabetically by subject

This series documents Poletti's experiences as an undergraduate at Harvard and later as a law student. It includes his notes, examinations, and papers from classes in economics, English, government, philosophy, and psychology, among others. It also holds three diaries covering Poletti's time in college and graduate school. Materials are filed by subject and document type.

This small series contains legal briefs for cases on which Poletti served as an attorney. Some include Poletti's annotations. They are filed chronologically.

This series is comprised primarily of campaign speeches given by Poletti at conventions and meetings, or over the radio. They cover topics such as public housing, discrimination, labor legislation, and civil and religious liberty. Several speeches present Poletti's experiences working with Herbert. H. Lehman. Files contain both drafts and completed speeches, arranged chronologically. An index can be found within each folder. The series also holds press releases announcing Poletti's actions as Lieutenant Governor and as acting Governor of New York, filed chronologically.

The files in this series hold family manuscripts in Italian, notes, and other personal documents

This series is comprised of letters written by Poletti's wife, Jean Knox Ellis Poletti, written during the early years of their marriage. It also contains seven travel diaries chronicling her visits to many countries during the 1960s.

Articles written by Charles Poletti typically touch on political topics. Those written about him generally regard his post in Italy immediately following World War II. Articles on Poletti's career can also be found in Series XIII: Clipping Books.

Some of these photographs are records of Charles Poletti's time in Italy during and following the Second World War, when he served in the Allied Military Government as a civil affairs officer. It also contains portraits of other politicians from the time, and images of Poletti with various members of his family, including his wife Jean. Several folders contain images that pertain to the 1964 World's Fair in New York City in 1964. Photographs can also be found throughout Series I: Correspondence.

This collection of materials including address books, diaries, passports, campaign buttons, and other personal effects belonging to Charles Poletti, as well as certificates and plaques awarded to him.

The audio tapes and films in this series pertain to the 1939 and 1964 New York World's Fairs. They include a speech Poletti gave about the 1939 Fair and interview with Poletti about his involvement in the 1964 Fair, among others.

This series holds speeches and interviews with Poletti recorded on record albums, including talks on low-cost housing, anti-corruption, and a report on the 1964 World's Fair. It also contains a number of popular music records owned by Poletti.

Series XIII is comprised of clipping books containing newspaper articles about Poletti. Most were collected systematically by press clipping agencies, and the 1940-1942 books contain a near complete record of Poletti's appearances in New York newspapers. Books are arranged chronologically.

This series contains transcripts and tapes of Poletti's oral history, which was recorded in 1978.